Tuesday, October 30, 2012

'Twas the Night After Christmas (Hellions of Halstead #6) by Sabrina Jeffries

Pierce Waverly, the Earl of Devonmont, has been estranged from his mother for most of his life. When his mother’s new companion, Mrs. Camilla Stuart, writes to tell him that his mother is seriously ill, he goes home. But when he learns that the lovely widow tricked him in order to effect a holiday reconciliation, he refuses to stay—unless she meets his “terms.” 

Somewhere between trying to seduce the beautiful Camilla and struggling with the cruel memories of his childhood Christmases, Pierce discovers that not only does forgiveness go two ways, but that love can blossom even in the coldest of winters.



Type: Historical Romance, Christmas
Heat: 2 out of 5
Rating: 5 out of 5

I fell in love with Sabrina Jeffries' Hellions of Halstead Hall series earlier this year and was so excited when I heard Pierce Waverly was going to have his story told as well. And I mean total squealy fangirl excited. After little glimpses of him in the series I was dying to find out more about him and let me tell you he was so much more than I could have hoped for. 'Twas the Night After Christmas was an amazingly powerful read that's both sweet and touching with a little humor added in. It had me on the edge of tears more than once as well. It hit all my emotions and is one that will always have a place on my shelves.

Camilla and Pierce were wonderfully written characters. I loved their whole set up with Camilla more or less tricking Pierce into coming home to visit his estranged mother who was "deathly ill". Camilla was, quite simply, a meddler. Not to mention determined and head strong. She wanted this family to mend itself and was going to make that happen no matter what it took.

And Pierce, well, he had quite the reputation and could be such an ass but really you couldn't hold it against him all that long. You could feel his hurt and pain and see exactly where he was coming from. I was on his side nearly the entire book when it came to his family who had just been horrid to him in the past. He's really an amazingly sweet man under it all and does such sweet things for the people around him and you can't help but fall a little in love.
"I'm considered something of a catch." 
"I am well aware of that," she said dryly. "You forget that I've read all about you in the papers." 
That seemed to bring him up short. "I'm not as bad as they make me out to be." 
"Says the man who already has me half naked in a drawing room."
Overall the book's fairly serious but there's little bits of humor tucked in here and there that kept the serious tone from being too overwhelming. There were some great moments between Camilla and Pierce when they'd call each other's bluff. These two definitely played a game with each other and weren't willing to back down...[this is from a scene where Camilla insists she's read a racy book and he calls her on it telling her to read her favorite page which turns out a little different than she expected]
Nothing in Camilla's experience had prepared her for such a blatant display of carnality. 
"Well, read on," the earl taunted when she hesitated. 
A blush rose on her cheeks. "I can't." She lifted her stunned gaze to his. "There are no words. Just a...picture." 
The color drained from his face. Reaching over, he snatched the book from her and stared at it, then shot her a horrified look. "Oh, holy hell. It has pictures."
One of the things I loved most about the storyline and writing was that it grabbed my emotions and drew me in completely. I was so wrapped up in the book that 300 pages flew by before I realized. The ending was just wonderful but I still wish it had been a little longer because I just wasn't quite ready to give the book up. You know that feeling? 'Twas the Night After Christmas is easily my favorite Christmas story and one I'd recommend for anyone who loves historicals and heart warming, healing stories. Jeffries really outdid herself and has me eager for more...

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I'd love to hear what you think of Twas the Night After Christmas!
Have you read Jeffries? Have a favorite? 
Looking forward to this one?

19 comments:

  1. "grabbed my emotions and drew me in completely"

    I'm sold! There are so few books that can achieve this and this is what I'm always in search of when starting a new romance.

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    1. I've read 6 by Sabrina Jeffries now and would really say that about each. She'll have your heart completely invested in the main characters within a couple chapters. At least with her Hellions. I've not branched out to the other series yet but have heard good things about them as well :)

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    2. Thanks, I can't wait to get started on the hunt for her backlist :)

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  2. PS Do I need to read the previous books to get the most out of this one or does it stand alone pretty good?

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    1. Oh you're good. From what I've heard this book is more of a bridge between the Hellions series and a new one she's going to have coming out. Pierce just showed up briefly in the previous ones as a very secondary character. Some of the previous characters do make guest appearances but really you'll be fine. All 6 of the books are excellent though and highly recommended.

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    2. Perfect, thank you! I have a bad habit of reading books out of order and driving myself crazy.

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    3. LOL. I've done that too. Drives me nuts when I've read book 1, 2, 5, 3, 4 on accident without realizing. I was SO darn confused! It can make a huge diff sometimes. LOL.

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  3. I am so going to have to pick up this book! It sounds like a really good read and I love a great Christmas story!
    -Kimberly @ Turning the Pages

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    1. Oh you won't be disappointed. I'll definitely be reading it again one day :)

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  4. I haven't got to read this one yet. I do love her work. The last I got to read was A Hellion in Her Bed. Really enjoyed this book and it's a good series.
    Sue B

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    1. Ooo Jarret! His book was a good one :)

      My favorite was the 5th book, A Lady Never Surrenders (Celia's book) I just loved the hero and was so happy to see him get a HEA as well :) It's pretty tied with Twas a Night After Christmas but really all the books were 4 or 5 star for me. It's my favorite historical series :)

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  5. I have read Sabrina. I liked her. But it has been some time. I would like to try her Christmas story. But I already have several. And I dont know I will read them as it is. haha

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    1. lol. Oh I know how that is! I've got so many books in this house it'll take me years to get to them all. And still...I buy more ;)

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  6. OMG I didn't know Pierce was getting a book!
    I am totally with on the fan girl squee *squee* it looks awesome!

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    1. Oh my goodness Nae you are going to LOVE it!! Thanks for squeeing with me ;)

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  7. Oh, I can't wait to read this one. You know I love those Hellions. My favorite is THE TRUTH ABOUT LORD STONEVILLE. I fell in love with Oliver immediately. And I love Sabrina Jeffries too. She quickly became one of my favorite authors.

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    1. I'm so glad you recommended her b/c she's moved up fast on my fave authors list too! My favorite was A Lady Never Surrenders. I loved Jackson through all of the books and just loved that one. I'd say Pierce's book rivals that one for me. So good! Hope you love it!

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  8. Have you read The School For Heiresses series? WED HIM BEFORE YOU BED HIM is the book that hooked me. It was the first SJ book I read and I just loved it. I didn't realize it was part of a series and I still haven't read all of the rest of them. But I plan to do that soon.

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    1. I haven't! I really want to though :) I have a couple of them on the shelf now just need to find the time, ya know?

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~Anna

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